07-03-2013, 01:14 AM
I always thought the trip odometer WAS the fuel gauge. 
I guess watching the odometer comes from once having a car with a broken gauge. Add to that, being broke and trying to get every last mile before putting $2 in the tank (yes $2 would get you a half dozen gallons), and I became conditioned to the odometer as fuel gauge routine (and why I thought the invention of the trip odometer as a godsend as I must admit running out a couple of times). Heck, I still reset the trip odometer on my car when I fill up.
I guess watching the odometer comes from once having a car with a broken gauge. Add to that, being broke and trying to get every last mile before putting $2 in the tank (yes $2 would get you a half dozen gallons), and I became conditioned to the odometer as fuel gauge routine (and why I thought the invention of the trip odometer as a godsend as I must admit running out a couple of times). Heck, I still reset the trip odometer on my car when I fill up.